Writer

Since being diagnosed with depression in her early thirties Rachel has written about the condition, and how she has recovered. Her memoir ‘Black Rainbow’ was a Sunday Times bestseller, her second book ‘Walking on Sunshine: 52 Small Steps to Happiness’ is an international bestseller, and her latest book The Happy Kitchen: Good Mood Food was released in January 2017.

Activist

Rachel’s story began in 1997 when she had the first of two major depressive episodes. These events became the defining events of her life. Rachel now writes, and speaks publicly, about her experience to help educate and break the stigma surrounding mental health. She also runs workshops to share what she has learnt about how to stay calm and well.

Ambassador

As someone who has been affected by depression, Rachel knows that stigma is alive and well, not just from others but also in the minds of those affected. It is time we end the stigma attached to mental illness and Rachel is honoured to be ambassador for Rethink Mental Illness, Sane, Young Minds and The Counselling Foundation: charities that are fundamental in this campaign.